YouBeauty has reported on research from Oregon State University revealing several one or two-minute exercise sessions a day are as effective as longer sessions in or out of the gym.

The study was based on more than 6,000 people who wore accelerometers to gauge daily movements. One group had structured exercise, the rest went about business as usual. Nearly half of those exercising by accident got in more than 30 minutes a day, while less than 10 percent of those preferring workouts did.

Co-author Brad Cardinal said, ““The odds of having metabolic syndrome were no different and even slightly favored the lifestyle group. The impacts were also relatively similar with blood pressure, cholesterol levels, glucose levels and waist circumference.”

However, traditional exercise routines did better at lowering BMI, the weight-to-height ratio commonly used to gauge fitness level. Researchers aren’t sure why yet. But Cardinal says taking the stairs, walking in instead of driving through at restaurants, and even little things like cutting your own vegetables all contribute to your health. The more little ways you can find to exercise throughout your day, the better off you’ll be – and that goes double if you also have the discipline to hit the gym.

It's not the usual blah, blah, blah

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